Saint Paul, MN- Today, the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor released the program evaluation of DNR's deer population management. The Legislative Audit Commission Evaluation Subcommittee convened today to discuss the report. Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL- South Saint Paul), the lone legislator to participate for most of the meeting, received the report, asked several questions of the Auditor and the DNR and released the following statement:
“The issue of deer population management is not exclusively for hunters, nor landowners, but for all Minnesotans. According to the Public Trust Doctrine, ‘under federal law, states must manage wildlife for the common use and benefit of the public’. This thorough report should be the read and considered not just by the usual stakeholders, but the public for whom our wildlife is entrusted.”
Rep. Hansen also noted the presence of the DNR Commissioner Tom Landwher in responding to the report was important in taking the audit recommendations seriously. Hansen encouraged a public process in responding to the report recommendations.
The Office of the Legislative Auditor made deer management recommendations to the OLA Commission Evaluation Subcommittee: "We found that aspects of the Department of Natural Resources’ management of deer populations in recent years were commendable and reflected local stakeholders’ interests. However, the department does not have a formal plan that prioritizes DNR resources, goals, and objectives for managing deer statewide. We recommend that the department improve its information for monitoring deer populations and setting deer population goals.”
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